Haha.....good one Dirt!

lol....One term that often causes confusion is the difference between a snowmobile and a sled. So, let’s dive into what exactly a snowmobile is. A snowmobile, also known as a sled or snow machine, is a motorized vehicle specifically designed for travel over snow and ice.

I have used a canoe as a sleigh behind the Scandik a few times.
If you use a canoe for a sleigh make sure you hook the tow rope the same way you hook it when towing your canoe behind your motor boat.

Canoe indeed. I'll rent him one with the right deposit lol

I had that same thought a couple days ago!

Bruce the only difference between Skandics and Expeditions is the front suspension and distance between the skis. From the engine to the rear bumper they are the same sled. Skandics ride rougher due to the pogo stick design. A lot of people talk about how skandics are stronger for going off trail but that has not been my experience. I run an Expedition wide track and an Expedition SWT both with 900 ace engines. I am fairly hard on equipment and run through brush and over logs without issue.

With any of the big sleds you will want an electric winch and or comealong. They are heavy and they do tip every now and then. As far as getting stuck in snow just bring a shovel. Clear a foot or two in front or behind them. Back up and go forward then launch out of the hole and keep going.

Having the high and low gear options is something I really like.

I also am a 4stroke convert for a utility sled. They are quiet and fuel efficient not to mention no smoke. Still love 2strokes for my play sleds though. As far as reliability issues go the 2strokes have more issues and are just as hard or harder to diagnose and repair in the field than the 4strokes are.

Whatever sled you decide on I would certainly go with a long track (154”). In Alaska we never know what the winter is going to bring. It can be dirt one winter and 4-6’ of snow the next in the same area.

Funny, I thought to Myself Yesterday, Bruce is about to be canoed.

Bronco, is your 4 stroke electric starter only? How easy/difficult would changing a starter in the field be?

Biggest drawback of the fourstrokes, I don't know of any that aren't electric start only. As far as replacing the starter in the field, I've never had one go out, so I've never replaced one in the field or otherwise except the auxiliary electric starter on my 08 Tundra 300. That wasn't bad at all, but I didn't do it in the field because I had a pull start on it.

I did have the starter solenoid go bad on my Bearcat four stroke (a known issue, they made a post production fix for) but it stuck on in the field instead of not working. Easy to get to mounted right on the battery, just disconnected the wire after it started. Annoying but better than not starting.

Yes they are electric start only. Changing starters is easier on them than it is on the 2strokes. But how often has the starter in your car or truck gone out?

I think the proper question should have been. Can you rope start them on the clutch with the shoe laces from those new bunny boots?

If I am not mistaken,even the newer 2 strokes with a manual starter will not run with a pooched battery.
Some juice is needed for the electronic fuel injection?

The new Vikings will run.

How hard are the four strokes on belts?

The point of the question was to point out having a starter failure in the field means a walk back to the truck, cabin, etc.
Dirts tongue in cheek question makes me wonder, can you pull start the engine from the clutch?
Starters on road vehicles rarely go out, but when they do you're on a road. Help is likely not too far away.

There shouldn't be any issues your money can't cure.

That T after Bruce isn't followed by an eadwell I hope?

FWIW; Both My tundra and expedition have needed starters, Luckily both failed right in the yard at home.Pretty easy to replace, minimal tools. I suppose You could do it in the field if You happened to have a spare starter with You. Pretty pricey If I remember correctly and had to beat the bushes for the second one. I have not been happy with parts availability from ski doo in recent years.

The viking starter went bad. Needed a new brush. There was an aftermarket product by i believe RM Stator that was the whole brush holding hardware with brushes . Around 15 bucks.

Correction, 17.84

Belts last a long time if you dont burn them up trying to get unstuck.
I think everybody has at least one spare belt stashed somewhere on their machines.